Fans of QSC loudspeakers had plenty to see and hear at the QSC NAMM 2017 booth, with the debut of the QSC K Cardioid powered subwoofer, plus the new E218SW sub and E215 full-range cabinet in QSC’s E Series of passive speakers. In our video from the NAMM show floor, QSC’s Chris Brouelette gives an overview of the new speakers, (expected to ship in spring/summer 2017) plus a close look at the latest firmware for the QSC TouchMix-30 Pro digital mixer.
QSC K Cardioid powered subwoofer
QSC at NAMM 2017: K Cardioid subwoofer
As any sound engineer will tell you, low frequencies are less directional than high frequencies. While top boxes (speakers loaded with high-frequency and mid-frequency drivers) can “throw” their output in a narrow “beam,” subwoofers tend to radiate sound in all directions. Indeed, bass is so non-directional that for some playback applications, there’s a consensus that “it doesn’t matter where you put the sub.” But for concert sound, omnidirectional subwoofers result in wasted energy and unwanted low-frequency build-up on the stage behind the sub. While large subwoofer arrays use placement, delay and polarity to create more directional sub-bass coverage, most small portable systems with only one or two sub boxes haven’t had this luxury.
That’s the problem QSC is aiming to solve with the K Cardioid subwoofer. Loaded with two 12″ drivers, this 1000-watt Class D powered subwoofer produces 15 dB more output at the front of the cabinet than at the rear — a coverage pattern previously only possible with a cardioid subwoofer array, now in a single, compact cabinet. “That’s like having 1000 watts coming out the front, and only 40 watts coming out the back,” Brouelette said. Built to travel at 26″ x 15″ x 28″, this 90-pound directional subwoofer comes with four rear-mounted casters and aluminum handles. With two M20 threaded sockets for a 35 mm speaker pole — one socket on top, and one on the side — it’s ideal for pairing in a sub-sat configuration with the QSC K8, K10, and K12 (or other full-range powered speakers that you might already have in your PA rig.)
QSC E215 and E218SW passive loudspeakers
QSC at NAMM 2017: Two E215 full-range cabinets atop a E218SW subwoofer.
QSC is adding two new models to their E Series of passive loudspeakers first introduced at NAMM 2016. Joining the E10, E12, E15 and E18SW in the Entertainment Series are two larger models: the E215 dual 15″ two-way full-range speaker, and the E218SW dual 18″ subwoofer.
“For those larger productions, big outdoor festivals, or larger DJ systems — now, in addition to having the 10″, 12″ and 15″ with the single 18″ sub, we now have these larger boxes,” explains Brouelette.
All of QSC’s E Series passive speakers are designed to be paired with QSC’s PLD and GXD amplifiers. Look for the E215 and E18SW to ship starting in spring 2017.
